Volts pip Stags in record-breaking Twenty20 thriller

The Central Stags fell agonisingly short of pulling off the most incredible run chase in New Zealand Twenty20 history in New Plymouth on Wednesday.

Needing 250 to win in 20 overs at Pukekura Park against the Otago Volts, the hosts scored 248-4 to lose by one run in the highest aggregate match the history of the format worldwide.

Requiring two for victory off the last ball, Stags batsman Dane Cleaver was run out when pushing for a single that would have tied the scores and sent the match into a

Super Over.

Veteran Sri Lankan superstar Mahela Jayawardene made 116 off 56 balls for the Stags - after opposing opener Hamish Rutherford had earlier scored 106 off only 50 deliveries when Otago batted first.

In-form Stags batsman Tom Bruce was left not out on 61 off just 29 balls.

Earlier, Otago had set a new domestic Twenty20 record when they scored 249-3 in their innings of the Mcdonald’s Super Smash match.

Otago’s tally surpassed the previous best mark of 229-3 set by Auckland against Wellington at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland in the 2009/10 season. It was the seventhhighest Twenty20 team tally in history worldwide.

Despite the accolades of his knock, Rutherford said it was just another day at the office.

‘‘It was another sensational wicket.

‘‘One that had a lot more pace than what we’re used to here so that probably assisted in everyone clearing the fence.

‘‘I had a little bit of luck, with a top edge and what not, but I guess these things happen.’’

Rutherford said while he thought the Stags side would score a fair amount of runs, he wasn’t expecting them to get as close to the target as they did.